New global partnership should draw on science to address 'development emergency', says Brown
'The world has the technology to cure, the science to heal, the medicine to save lives,' said UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown when he spoke at the United Nations (UN) on 31 July, calling for the creation of the 'greatest coalition of conscience in pursuit of the greatest of causes'. These 'greatest of causes' are primarily health, education and the environment, predominantly in developing countries. Past generations could claim that they had neither the knowledge nor the technology, the medicine, the science, or the wealth to tackle these causes. 'Today we have the science, technology, medicine and wealth: what we now need is the unity and strength of purpose to employ the ingenuity and resources we have - and to employ them well - to help those who need it,' said Mr Brown. This new global partnership should bring together governments, the private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), scientists, faith groups and citizens. 'Let us call on the world's scientists to put creative genius and innovative flair at the service of solving the technological challenges that face poorer countries as well as richer countries - and to train the scientists of the future,' said Mr Brown. The Prime Minister reported that 12 world leaders and 20 business leaders had signed a new 'commitment to action' to meet what he termed the 'development emergency'.
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